Since its independence from Spain in 1816, the government of Argentina has vacillated between military dictatorship and constitutional rule. Since 1983 it has had a multiparty representational government. This long history of periods of political and economic instability has prompted writers to comment on these social disruptions. At times Argentine authors have spoken to their readers directly and overtly, at other more dangerous times metaphorically and even from places of exile.

You will be assigned topics that reflect the major themes of Argentinean literature. Working with a partner, use what you have learned to write and perform a dialogue of an imaginary conversation between two of Argentina’s prominent authors. The topic of the conversation should be what each person thinks is the role of literature in Argentina. To prepare for your dialogue, you will research the authors and the social conditions under which they wrote.

Look at the photograph. Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.

An olla popular (people's kettle), the soup kitchens that have fed the poor in outlying areas of the city and in the province of Buenos Aires since both the economic devastations wrought by the military dictatorships and the impoverishment created by neoliberal economic policies of democratic governments. Courtesy of Eduardo Gil.

• What does this picture suggest about social classes in Argentina?
• How might the political history of militarism and authoritarianism in Argentina have affected the economic conditions of the country? Do you think all the people of Argentina were affected in the same way?
• What might an Argentine writer who is concerned about social issues say about this picture?

Use the World Cultures Today articles listed below to research Argentinean authors and the social and political conditions of their times. Examine the Timeline of Argentina. As you read, keep your assigned topics and point of view in mind. Remember that your dialogue script will need to include specific details about the politics and social conditions of Argentina, as well as the topics and styles of the authors' works.

Use the 2-Column Table to organize your information. On the left, write the topics that you are researching, such as Social Class or Feminism. On the right, fill in facts and examples about these topics. You will need to include at least 10 facts in your dialogue script.

Write your dialogue script with at least 10 substantive exchanges between the authors. When the script is complete, your teacher will prompt you to perform your dialogue for the class. Be sure to speak slowly and clearly, and adjust your tone and style too create an authentic effect.

Your teacher will use these questions to assess your writing:

• Did your dialogue address the themes of Argentinean literature?
• Did your dialogue incorporate at least ten substantive exchanges between authors?
• Did your writing and performance reflect creative thinking?
• Did you participate in the final discussion which consolidated the themes of all the dialogues?